Q. A coworker is about to loose her job as she is sometimes unable to report for work or even to call of before her start time, due to single parenting a 6 year old bipolar boy. Does ADA or anything else address this trype of problem?
Paul
Paul_Kreis@yahoo.com

A. Paul,

Thanks for your question. Yes the ADA does have the ability to help with persons who suffer or who are directly affected with regard to a person's mental illness. First of all, has your co-worker explained to the boss that she has a child with Bi-Polar (and it needs to be documented that he/she is Bi-polar)? This would be the first step. If management has been informed that she is dealing with this type of illness in the home, she is going to have an easier time defending her job and reasonable accommodations need to be made for her through the ADA laws. If she hasn't made this information known, and is just not coming to work and coming late with no explanation, then it will be a lot more difficult to fight her position due to her lack of communication. Either way, the ADA does protect those who have a mental illness, and if it involves children then I am sure parents are covered as well, to what extent, I don't know. Here's the ADA website if you'd like more information. If she has spoken with management and they are not cooperating, perhaps a mention of ADA may change their tune. If she does lose her job over it and HAS informed management of her situation, I would advice seeking legal councel that specializes in ADA cases. ADA website is http://www.ada.giv

Jeanne